Honda has achieved a major milestone by successfully launching and landing its own reusable rocket. The rocket flew for nearly a full minute, reaching an altitude of 890 feet, before landing within just 14 inches of its target.
The test flight took place at Honda’s facility in Taiki Town, Japan, an area developed as a “space town” through collaboration with public and private partners, including Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA). The rocket stood nearly 21 feet tall and weighed over 2,800 pounds at launch. It landed safely on four retractable legs that also supported the liftoff.
Honda began its spaceflight research in 2021 and is applying technology from its automotive and automated driving research to rocket development. Although the project is still in the early research stage, Honda aims to achieve a suborbital launch—about 62 miles above Earth—by 2029.
While suborbital flights won’t put satellites into orbit, Honda’s progress marks a key step. The company has yet to decide if it will pursue commercial launches or compete with major private space companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin.
Honda plans to continue refining its rocket technology as it explores future possibilities in space.
